Fruit Tree Giveaway!

Watts Towers Arts Center & Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center
1761-1765 East 107th Street, Los Angeles, 90059
Saturday, February 6, 2010
NOON-3 pm
AND
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 90036
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Noon -3 pm
Ages: All
Cost: FREE (while supplies last! so hurry!)

Artist collective Fallen Fruit kicks off a yearlong project, EATLACMA, with a fruit tree giveaway. Pick up a free fruit tree along with planting instructions for your garden. While supplies last.

Baby Steps to a Greener Life

Now more than ever is the call to environmentalism and conservation more crucial. From the world’s steady climate increase to the suffering Polar bear population, signs of global warming are too prevalent to ignore. Cause for even greater attention is the fact that the way we live our lives can contribute to, or help alleviate, the global warming phenomenon.

This year we hope to take real steps–even if they’re baby steps–to practice conservation, sustainability and environmentalism, and to bring our kids along during the journey. The earlier we cultivate a respect for our planet, the more routine green practices will become for our kids.

Here are some of our ideas to be more green, but don’t forget to also regularly check out the Green Living section of L.A. Kid Stuff for ongoing suggestions.

Educating Ourselves

Go Green Expo Los Angeles
Spend this weekend hearing suggestions on how to live more sustainable lives and what products are the most environmentally friendly, from baby and kid stuff to household cleaning supplies. (MORE)

Sustainable Sundays at the Natural History Museum
A monthly series at the Natural History Museum that brings together experts and the public to find green, innovative local solutions to far-reaching global problems, from climate change and water conservation to land use, preserving our environment and protecting Earth’s biodiversity. The first workshop for this year is this Sunday, Others planned include Waste Not, Want Not about recycling and World Water Day L.A. on water conservation. (MORE)

The Environmental Protection Agency Website for Kids
An excellent Global Warming primer for kids (and anyone interested in the simple lowdown on the topic, for that matter). Graphics, videos and colorful photos engage kids while educating them.

Nature.org
An excellent website that will explain, then help you calculate your and your family’s carbon output with a handy online calculator. carbon footprint calculator estimates how many tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases you create each year. Your average compared to someone in a developing nation will shock you.

TheGreenGuide
This site has real world tips on how to live more environmentally responsible lives, from using energy efficient light bulbs and recycling to rainwater harvesting and tips for greener travel.

Earth911.com
Want to know how and why things are recycled, from paper to plastic to electronics? This website will tell you. Get tips and how-tos on reusing everyday objects to composting in your backyard. News articles about everything on recycling. The best part of the site, a search engine that will connect you (your zip code) to the nearest location where you can recycle types of items that you specify (such as batteries, computers, glass, etc.)

Buying Local and Living with Less

Shop at Farmers Markets
Not only do Famers Markets offer locally grown produce which is good for the environment and our local farmers, but the prices on organic goods are often cheaper than what you’ll find at your local Whole Foods or specialty brick and mortar. Add to that the abundance of children’s activities at many of these Farmers markets and it’s a win-win proposition for the whole family. Check out our updated Kid Friendly Farmers Markets list HERE.

Be Green with a Green Thumb
The only thing better than buying from a local farmer is growing your own food. But in the concrete jungle that is L.A., not everyone’s dwelling is connected to a plot of dirt suitable for a garden. You can still teach your kids the importance and benefits of gardening at your local community garden. The Los Angeles Community Garden Council lists community gardens near you. Community Gardens are like public parks but are maintained by the public. For a small fee you can use a plot of land–designated for you–to grow your garden. You will tend, cultivate and harvest from your own plot. (MORE)

Kids Toy Making Workshop
What’s better than kids learning to make their own toys, teaching them creativity as well as self sufficiency. It may not make all of your family’s big retail box toy needs disappear, but an appreciation for and sense of pride in something made with their own hands may lengthen the time until your next stop at the toy store. (MORE)

Creative and Crafty Kid at Craft ‘N Sew Program
A do-it-yourselfer’s best resource is Hands on Third, where next week a six-week Craft ‘N Sew session will start for kids ages 5 and up. The session will include Puppet Making, Costume Design, Recycled Art, Decoupage, Make your own Robots, Monsters and more! (MORE)

Family Activities Fostering Love & Respect for Nature

Plant Trees Together
It’s not what you’re doing, it’s who you’re with…except sometimes it is what you’re doing, and who you’re with makes it that much better. It’s not written anywhere that volunteering as a family for activities such as community tree plantings can’t be fun as well! Next weekend join an Eagle Award prospect plant 34 trees along a business district in Long Beach. (MORE)

Whale Watching
The beauty and grace of creatures of the ocean can spur discussions on how they live, their habitat and the interconnection between people, animals and the earth. (MORE)

Restoration Parties at Ballona Wetlands
You don’t need a reservation to learn about birds and the importance of their natural environment at the Ballona fresh water marshes or to take an in-depth tour of the Ballona salt marshes and sand dunes. Do so on the second and fourth Sunday of each month, then understand the importance of what you and your family are doing when you help restore the sand dunes and trails at a Restoration Party. (MORE)

Buy Local at Farmers Markets

Not only do Famers’ Markets offer locally grown produce which is good for the environment and our local farmers, but the prices on organic goods are often cheaper than what you’ll find at your local Whole Foods or specialty brick and mortar. Add to that the abundance of children’s activities at many of these Farmers markets and it’s a win-win proposition for the whole family.

Below is a list of a few of L.A. Kid Stuff’s favorite kid and family-friendly Farmer’s Markets in the L.A. area so you can start cultivating the next generation of farmers market supporters in a fun and enjoyable way! Activities are usually free; pony and train rides have a minimal fee. L.A. Kid Stuff confirmed that these markets have vendors that are Certified Organic Farmers, or farmers who are 99% pesticide free.

Beverly Hills Farmers Market

9300 Block of Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills, 90210
Sundays
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (rain or shine)
(310) 285-6830
(MORE INFO)

Hollywood Farmers Market

Ivar between Sunset Blvd. and Hollywood Blvd.
Sundays
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
(323) 463-3171
(MORE INFO)

Studio City Farmers Market

Ventura Place, between Ventura and Laurel Canyon Boulevards
Sundays
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
(818) 655-7744
(MORE INFO)

Santa Monica Main Street Farmers Market

2640 Main Street
Santa Monica,
Sundays, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
(310) 391-9996
(MORE INFO)

Pasadena Farmers Market (Victory Park)

North Sierra Madre Boulevard and Paloma Street
Saturdays
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
(626) 449-0179
(MORE INFO)

West Los Angeles Farmers Market

Corner of Purdue Avenue at Santa Monica Blvd.
Sundays
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
(310) 281-7855
(MORE INFO)

Helen Albert Certified Farmers Market

Plummer Park North Parking Lot
1200 N. Vista Street, West Hollywood
Mondays
9:00am – 2:00pm
(MORE INFO)

Helen Albert Certified Farmers’ Market

Plummer Park North Parking Lot
1200 N. Vista Street, West Hollywood
Mondays
9:00am – 2:00pm

You can’t go wrong at a farmers market located right in a park. This Monday market in West Hollywood is hopping even for a weekday. That’s a testament to its worth, and the strength of the community around it. Plummer Park in West Hollywood offers a play structure, playground and lots of open space for your kids to enjoy before or after the shopping!

West Los Angeles Farmer’s Market

Corner of Purdue Avenue at Santa Monica Blvd.
Sundays
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
(310) 281-7855

You’ll have forty-five vendors to browse through at this West Los Angeles Farmers Market, and your kids will have ponies and trains. A children’s craft table will bring out her inner artist. Each week a family band show entertains with live music.

Pasadena Farmers Market (Victory Park)

North Sierra Madre Boulevard and Paloma Street
Saturdays
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
(626) 449-0179

Do double duty on Saturday mornings at this market that is adjacent to Victory Park and two playgrounds for the kids. When you are ready for some serious shopping, musician King Swami will entertain the kids with his drums, rice shakers and various other musical instruments. You can start teaching your kids the benefits of conservation by sharing a little tidbit that King Swami carries all those instruments to the market while traveling on the bus! Now that’s an example all Los Angelenos can strive to emulate!

Santa Monica Main Street Farmers’ Market

2640 Main Street, Santa Monica
Sundays
9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
(310) 391-9996
Website

Everyone knows about the Saturday morning Santa Monica Farmers Market on Arizona Ave. and 3rd Street. Going on 20 years in the community, it’s a stalwart of family weekend destinations. Head a little south on a Sunday morning though and you’ll find the Santa Monica Farmers Market on Main Street, a vibrant non-agricultural section also thrives. Of the four farmer’s markets offered in Santa Monica, this is the only one that also features booths serving breakfast, lunch and tea. In addition to live music, the lineup of which you can find on the website, a wide variety of activities for children abound, including arts and crafts, face painting and pony rides.

Studio City Farmer’s Market

Ventura Place, between Ventura and Laurel Canyon Boulevards
Sundays
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
(818) 655-7744
Website

The Studio City Farmer’s Market’s reputation as a kid-friendly place precedes itself. The reigning kid-friendly market by Los Angeles Magazine’s “best of” issue, there is something for everyone here. Animals, both of the balloon kind and the real kind for petting are in abundance. Train and pony rides, face painting and arts and crafts will keep your little one entertained and contained. Snow cones and live music make this market a cool summer destination for the whole family.

Hollywood Farmer’s Market

Ivar between Sunset Blvd. and Hollywood Blvd.
Sundays
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
(323) 463-3171

The most fun part of this market for the really big kids is the more than 20 different musicians entertaining the crowds on any given Sunday. This is the heart of Hollywood after all, and with no permits necessary for musicians, the market is a virtual hotbed of talent. This is not to say that the music is strictly for the big people set; a market regular on the corner of Selma Ave. and Cosmo St. is a pied piper for little ones every week with his infectious drumming and encouraging audience participation. His medley of other musical instruments is free for the borrowing and playing. Free balloons at the info booth, and a balloon artist in the central area will make your favorite animal to order. An arts and crafts table is farmers market-appropriate, teaching kids to design a farm or garden out of found objects, eco friendly play dough and finger paints.

Beverly Hills Farmer’s Market

9300 Block of Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills, 90210
Sundays
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (rain or shine)
(310) 285-6830

More than 60 farmers and vendors offer California-grown, fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables every week. Also find specialty prepared foods that can be enjoyed at the market or taken home such as gourmet tamales, french crepes, salads and a lot more! If your child is a culinary master in the making or just loves to help out in the kitchen, the Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market is the place to be as the Cookin’ Kids program is available FREE the 2nd Sunday of each month from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. as part of the Market’s Kid Zone. Children will be introduced to fresh fruits and vegetables based on what’s in season. They will be able to taste the featured item of the month, learn about its health benefits, meet the farmer and get recipes that they can easily prepare at home. Children must be accompanied by an adult and can drop by and participate anytime during the session.

The Kid Zone also includes pony rides at $5.00, and a petting zoo for $3.00 every 2nd and 4th Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.